Place Vendome: The AOR and Melodic Rock Supergroup
Place Vendome is a German melodic rock and AOR supergroup formed in 2004 by Frontiers Records president Serafino Perugino. The project unites renowned musicians from the European hard rock scene, most notably powerhouse vocalist Michael Kiske of Helloween fame, to create music dedicated to the classic melodic rock sound.
Early career
The project was conceived in 2004 by Italian record label Frontiers Records, known for specializing in melodic rock and metal. Serafino Perugino assembled a core writing and production team including Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69) and assembled a lineup of session musicians to record the material. The goal was a deliberate return to the soaring vocals and polished production of 1980s arena rock.
Breakthrough
Place Vendome's self-titled debut album, Place Vendome, was released in 2005 and was immediately embraced by the dedicated AOR community. While it did not achieve mainstream chart success, its strong reception confirmed a market for high-quality, newly recorded melodic rock and established the project as a going concern for Frontiers Records.
Key tracks
I Will Be Waiting — This opening track from the debut album perfectly set the tone with its driving rhythm and Kiske's signature high-range vocals.
My Guardian Angel — A standout melodic rock ballad from the 2009 album Streets of Fire, showcasing the project's emphasis on strong hooks and emotional delivery.
Streets of Fire — The anthemic title track from the second album reinforced the band's consistency and growing songwriting strength within the genre.
Talk to Me — Featured on 2017's Close to the Sun, this track exemplifies the later albums' blend of modern production with timeless AOR sensibilities.
The project continued with the albums Thunder in the Distance (2013) and Close to the Sun (2017), each featuring contributions from a who's who of melodic rock songwriters like Magnus Karlsson and Alessandro Del Vecchio. The consistency of Place Vendome's output has solidified their status as a flagship project for the Frontiers label and a reliable source for fans of the genre.
Listeners who enjoy Place Vendome often appreciate the work of similar artists featured on our site. Explore Helloween for the power metal roots of Michael Kiske. Discover the melodic hard rock of Pink Cream 69, which shares key personnel. Check out the anthemic AOR of Unisonic, another Kiske-fronted project. The polished rock of Work of Art also follows a similar classic-inspired melodic path.
The music of Place Vendome is a staple on dedicated melodic rock and classic AOR radio stations featured on our network. You can hear their anthems on specialty online rock radio streams that celebrate the legacy and future of the genre, as well as on independent music radio stations with a focus on hard rock heritage.
Place Vendome's catalog of melodic rock anthems is regularly featured across the radio stations available on onairium.com. Tune in to discover their powerful tracks and explore the full depth of their AOR-inspired sound through our curated radio stations.
